AKP Spokesperson Slams Journalist's 'Franco' Comparison of Erdoğan

AKP spokesperson Ömer Çelik strongly criticized journalist Ertuğrul Özkök for comparing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the ruling AKP party to the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco. Çelik addressed the remarks via his social media account, defending Erdoğan's democratic legitimacy and condemning the comparison as unfounded and offensive.

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Our President has come to power multiple times through the free will of our nation and democratic elections. Our President is currently the most experienced statesman and leader among leaders who have come to power through democratic elections worldwide.

Çelik emphasized that President Erdoğan has been repeatedly elected through democratic processes, highlighting his experience as a statesman. "Our President has come to power multiple times through the free will of our nation and democratic elections. Our President is currently the most experienced statesman and leader among leaders who have come to power through democratic elections worldwide," Çelik stated.

The AKP spokesperson characterized the comparison to Franco's dictatorship as a "lack of reason and conscience" and an "ethical problem" that targets the will of the Turkish people. He argued that such rhetoric stems from a "rotten mentality" that has historically harbored ill intentions towards Turkey and has become a political characteristic for certain groups.

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Comparing our President's political position to Franco's dictatorship is a lack of reason and conscience. This is also an ethical problem directed at the will of the nation.

"Comparing our President, one of the world's leaders with the highest democratic legitimacy, to a dictator who committed crimes against humanity is a mental and moral poverty," Çelik declared. He added that this mindset has been a persistent challenge, and the AKP will continue its democratic struggle against it. Çelik dismissed Özkök's comments about the AKP, suggesting they reflect a wishful thinking of a "rotten mentality" rather than reality.

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Comparing our President, one of the world's leaders with the highest democratic legitimacy, to a dictator who committed crimes against humanity is a mental and moral poverty.